Scottish collie behind wheel of runaway vehicle causes scare

Apr. 22, 2015

LONDON (AP) — Don the Sheepdog might want to learn a new trick: applying the brakes.

The border collie inspired a traffic scare and social media gold after he plunged down a hill and onto a highway in his master's vehicle.

Wednesday's incident near Abington, Scotland, began when farmer Tom Hamilton left Don sitting in his utility vehicle as he inspected lambs. He insists the parking brake was on.

Not strongly enough. The vehicle rolled through a fence, down a steep hill and across the M74 motorway, missing other vehicles and hitting a security barrier. Onlookers presumed the dog was driving, and that inspired an online joke-fest.

Some wondered if police had collared Don and put him in the doghouse, whether he was licensed to drive, or might have been barking mad.